I'm really scratching my head

David Latta

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OPINION:  Oh boy, here we go again, writes Logan Savory in this week's Sav's Say.

I've been highly critical of the Otago rugby decision-makers through this column in recent years for their lack of foresight as they continue to try to pull the union out of the quicksand.

I don't want to become the guy who pokes the stick at them for every move they make but, really, can you blame me for scratching my head over the decisions being made in Dunedin?

In my eyes, the shambles that is Otago rugby has become messier in the past couple of days, following the appointment of their new coach.

The passion in the blue-and-gold circles is at an all-time low and there needs to be a spark to reignite the province that once was feared in this country.

That spark, I thought, could have been David Latta.

Latta may not be the most proven coach technically, but what he may have brought to the table is some much-needed backing from the Otago rugby community.

The Balclutha legend is no dummy, either. He's an astute businessman and family man and has a long history as a former player and captain of Otago.

More importantly, he has done his time coaching at the lower levels in Otago, serving an apprenticeship that shouldn't go unnoticed.

It's a similar path to the one Stags coaching duo Simon Culhane and David Henderson took before they were given their roles in 2005 by Rugby Southland.

For me, it was a no-brainer – the application process was merely a formality.

Latta had the backing of some key Otago rugby folk, including John Leslie, and it was time those people stepped in to sort out the mess in Otago.

Leslie had indicated he would love to work with Latta to help develop the Otago team during the next few years.

However, despite all this, Otago have appointed an Australian who in September was fired by the Queensland Reds after winning only six of 26 games.

Phil Mooney will arrive in February from Brisbane with little to no knowledge of Otago rugby. How quickly he can get up to speed with the Otago playing contenders is likely to determine how successful he will be.

logan.savory@stl.co.nz

» Logan Savory is a former Southland cricket representative who was named New Zealand junior sportswriter of the year at the 2007 TP McLean journalism awards. His main rounds are cricket and rugby.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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